Seen at The Festival of the Tree

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

We had the first ground frost of the season forecast for last night, so in spite of an already packed schedule*, I scurried up the allotment early yesterday morning to harvest the rest of the squash, pumpkins and courgettes before they turned to mush. The pictured crate is the results of my labours and includes some windfall apples and pears as well as the aforementioned cucurbits.

My discovery of the year comes courtesy of Threadspider. She gave me some plants she had spare in the summer to replace my failed squash and pumpkin sowing. It turned out they included the marvellously curled Tromba di Albenga on the right of the picture. Picked young they're the most delicious courgette, left to mature they're more like a squash. I value them not only for their taste and productivity, but also for making me giggle every time I find one under the rampant leaves of their mother plant. In their early days they curl right round on themselves, reminding me of rather chunky bracelets. Vegetables you can wear as well as eat.

I believe we need more giggling with our gardening, don't you?

* = Threadspider came down the hill for coffee yesterday morning, followed by an afternoon trip to Cheltenham Literature festival to hear Anna Pavord speak about her new book, Bulb :)

12 comments:

Hello VP, now that is a lovely harvest, I only got two this year. But I'm delighted over those two, I think they are so decorative. Yours looks great VP, I'm sure they will brighten up even the darkest autumn room./ Tyra

A fine collection there VP and 'Trombo di Albenga' looks fun. Cold here last night but no frost . I am waiting till this afternoon to go to visit the allotment. I am going to treat myself to 'Bulb' for some festive reading :)

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